British football split over Sepp Blatter racism apology

Top figures from British football including Arsene Wenger, David Beckham and
Ian Wright give their thoughts on the Fifa president's apology for his
comments on racism in football.

5:59PM GMT 18 Nov 2011

Blatter apologised for his proclamation on Wednesday that matters of racial abuse could be solved with a handshake between players, comments that former England captain David Beckham had labelled "appalling".

"It hurts and I am still hurting because I couldn't envisage such a reaction," Blatter said.

However, the apology from the Fifa president did not cut the mustard for several figures within the British game.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright doubted that Blatter had truly meant his apology whilst current Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was adamant that a "zero tolerance" approach was necessary to matters of discrimation.

However, after what has been a storm in a very British teacup after the rest of the globe largely ignored Blatter's remarks, Wenger had a warning for his adopted homeland.